【Tips】

This article is entitled "Rewarding Battles", and the purpose of this article is to explain the important role of the reward system in ancient warfare. It believed that in siege battles, the reason why the soldiers braved arrows and stones to get to the city first, and did not avoid white-knuckle combat and fought first, was due to the result of hanging heavy rewards. This is not without reason. Therefore, the establishment of rewards and rewards is an effective system that has been attached great importance to the management of military soldiers in all generations. The purpose of the reward is to motivate and boost morale. If it is properly used and just right, it will be able to arouse the enthusiasm of the vast number of officers and men and enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops. However, if it is not used properly, and the reward is excessive, and what should not be rewarded is rewarded, and what should be rewarded is not rewarded, then such a reward may also become a corrosive agent for the pursuit of fame and fortune and the destruction of morale. This is a problem that cannot be prevented without care in the process of implementing the reward system.

Cao Cao during the Three Kingdoms period can be said to be a military strategist who made good use of the reward system to govern the army. Every time he led the army to attack, he rewarded all the captured valuables to the meritorious soldiers. For those who have made great meritorious contributions and should be rewarded heavily, he "spares a thousand dollars"; However, he "did not share anything" with those who vainly tried to reward those who had no merit, and because he was impartial, selfless, and meticulous on the issue of rewards, he was able to greatly arouse the enthusiasm of the vast number of officers and men and enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops, so he was able to achieve the brilliant record of "winning every battle."

【Translation】

Whenever a siege battle encounters a high wall and a deep trench, and the arrows and stones are handed over like a bet, the soldiers must rush to climb the city wall; When the two armies are engaged in hand-to-hand combat, if the soldiers are to go forward without hesitation, they must be rewarded to motivate them to kill the enemy bravely, so that there is no invincible enemy. As the Art of War says, "Under the encouragement of great rewards, there will be warriors." ”

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, whenever the general Cao Cao conquered the enemy's towns, all the valuables he seized were used to reward meritorious soldiers. If anyone has distinguished himself and deserves to be rewarded, he will not be spared even if he is rewarded with a thousand gold; But for those who are vain and want to ask for reward, they will not give a penny. Therefore, every time Cao Cao led his army to attack, he was bound to achieve victory.

[Original]

Van Gogh City is a deep pool, the arrows and stones are numerous, and the soldiers are vying to be the first; The white blade is united, and the soldiers compete to go first, and they will be tempted to be rewarded heavily, and the enemy will be restrained. Fa said: "Under the heavy reward, there will be brave men." ”①

Cao Cao, the general at the end of the Han Dynasty, every time he attacked a city and broke a city, he got something beautiful (2), and he rewarded those who had meritorious service. If the reward is good, do not spare a thousand dollars. Nothing is done, and there is no difference. Therefore, we can win every battle. ③

[Notes]

(1) Under the heavy reward, there will be a brave man: the words of "Three Strategies, Upper Omitted".

(2) Gorgeous: It is said to be gorgeous and precious.

(3) This historical example is from "Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Emperor Wu Ji I", Pei Songzhi's note quoted in "Book of Wei".